A slight smile finally graced his full lips. “Okay, maybe I’m a little mad.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“But only because you scared the shit out of me. Please tell me that was a one-off, and I don’t need to lock you in a bubble from now on to keep you safe.”
I laughed at the mental picture his words created. “I’m usually more careful, I promise. I was just...” My laughter died.
How was I supposed to end that sentence? I was just distracted by your brother’s complete and utter disinterest in me? The thought alone was too painful. There was no way I could voice it aloud.
“What is it?” Leo asked, his brow wrinkling to signify yet another emotion I didn’t expect from him—concern. “Did something happen?”
My brain told me to say no. To keep Tristin’s newest rejection locked up inside, where it could fester, causing continuous heartache.
This was Leo Sharpe, star quarterback and king of Harbor U. He didn’t want to know about my silly problems.
Except, everything about him—from his expression to his tone to the way he leaned toward me—suggested he did want to know. The Leo sitting in front of me wasn’t the same guy I’d stumbled upon in the entryway of the mansion a month ago. He hadn’t been the same since the moment he confessed the truth to Violet. I’d known it then, but I could see it now.
He’d spent years hiding from the truth. He wasn’t hiding anymore.
And neither was I.
“I saw Tristin on campus.”
Leo didn’t visibly react, other than nodding for me to continue. “And?”
I stabbed at a wedge of cheese with my fork. “And he pretended like I didn’t exist.” I popped the wedge in my mouth, and my eyes widened. “Holy shit. This is delicious.”
Leo placed a slice of meat and a different cheese on my plate. “Try those together. It’ll change your life.”
I did as instructed and moaned while I chewed. I was a fan of cheese. Who wasn’t? But I’d never tasted anything like this. Maybe the menu wasn’t overpriced, after all. Even I would sacrifice some of my hard-earned money for this experience.
“So, he didn’t say anything?” Leo asked, after I’d eaten two more combinations he recommended.
“No. He passed me on the sidewalk, and he saw me, but he didn’t say a word.” Or even pause.
“Was that the first time you’ve seen him since...”
“Since he told us to leave him the fuck alone?” I finished for him.
He grimaced but nodded. “Since then.”
“Yes. He hasn’t been to Western Civ once. Do you think he transferred to a different class?” Otherwise, he was going to end up pushing his luck with the attendance policy. Harbor U wasn’t like big state schools, where you could get away with only showing up to class when you wanted.
“I don’t know.” He rubbed a hand over his bristled jaw. “Honestly, I don’t know what the hell is going on with him. Not that that’s anything new.”
Suddenly remembering my conversation with Violet, I said, “At least he doesn’t have to worry about being a suspect in Bodie’s accident anymore.”
Leo frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Wait. He didn’t know either?
“Violet told me the police found a video showing that the culprit was a woman. You hadn’t heard?”
“No. When did this happen?”
“She didn’t say.” I told him the rest of the details. Not that I had many to share.
When I was done, he relaxed back into his chair, the tightness in his shoulders finally loosening. “Thank god that’s behind us. Guess Bodie didn’t sabotage his own car in an attempt to set Tristin up again.”
“Is that what you thought? That he would actually cause his own car accident?”
Leo shrugged. “I wouldn’t put it past him. If a dude can have crazy eyes, he’s got them.”
I couldn’t help but snicker at that. Bodie did have a wildness about him that made me wonder what was going on inside his rather large head. A tiny part of me understood his need to get revenge for what happened to his sister. But removing his own lug nuts seemed a little extreme, even for him.
Our food arrived, and even though it was too early for dinner, I dug into my fish and chips with gusto. I wasn’t sure that I loved the smell of the parmesan truffle fries on my plate, but they tasted damn good. And the beer battered fish was to die for.